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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 7

Written Answers. - Operational Programme for Transport.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

60 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the current status of European Union funding allocated through his Department to a company (details supplied) in County Cork outlining the policy reasons behind this allocation in view of the existence of adequate docking facilities at Cork Port and Ringaskiddy; and the length of time this funding will remain available. [19003/97]

My Department supported the allocation of EU funds from the regional ports measure of the Operational Programme for Transport (OPT) 1994-99 for the project in question. Under the terms of the OPT this project was subjected to an independent evaluation by the external evaluator appointed to the OPT. The evaluator's report has been submitted to the OPT monitoring committee for consideration and a determination is expected shortly.

Apart from the availability of co-financing the project cannot proceed until it has obtained the necessary statutory approvals, including planning and foreshore permissions for the works proposed. Specific eligibility criteria are laid down in the OPT for such projects. In many cases regional ports such as that referred to by the Deputy are of key importance in sub-regional economic development. Funding from the regional ports measure of the OPT assists the esssential preservation and development of ports to retain existing capacity and employment where possible, to help in preserving significant infrastructural assets or to result in a significant improvement in operational efficiencies.

I am advised that the project can contribute to the achievement of a number of the objectives set for the regional ports measure including the maintenance of key local infrastructural assets and facilitating increased throughput and competitive options for bulk traffics.

In terms of a timeframe for the availability of funding, all projects under the OPT should be completed by end 1999.

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